to the contiuous sweat glind ducts at giles where the lattes penetrated the epidermis. A mir: "y y row Zone of parakeratinosis and amorphous debris was still present between the stratum granulosum and the loosely laminated stratuat corneum. Dernius The capilhiry Mops tn the dermal papillae, al@hough present, were noc umtoroaidy distinet. Pericytes remained in increased number but fewer lymphocytes were present. Generally, there appeared to be slight telangiectasis of the capillaries in the pars papilarts and the superficial pars reticularis (Phaite 3.24). There was sume edema of the pars papillaris (Plate 3.22). Scattered pigment laden chromatophores were irregularly distributed im the papillary layer (Plate 3.23). In some cases hair shafts in the superficial pars reticularis were quile narrow, atrophic, and vccasionally absent, in others the hair shafts appeared normal. Small hair follicles (Plate 3.22) and secretory sweat ducts in some cases showed mild atrophy. Biopsies of three pigmented mild lesions were taken from two of the white Rongertk Americans. Only one of the three gave evidence of damage, which was nominal and confined to the epidernits. 3.2.5 Symptomatology and Treatment On the day of exposure, itching and burning of the skin was prevalent. This subsided and for a period of 10 to 14 days or longer there was neither subjective nor objective evidence of skin injury. Itching and burning reappeared either prior to or in the early pysmentation stage. With the deeper lesions there was also pain. Pain was rather marked with the foot lesions. During the painful period some of the foot lesions were also hot and presented a brawny edema. A common complaint was a tenderness in the great toes medial tu the nails. However, visible lesions in this area were infrequent. This symptom usually preceded the appearance of gross lesions elsewhere on the feet. Many of the individuals who developed painful foot lesions were observed walking om their heels for several days. The painfulness of the foot lesions may have resulted from their greater severity, and may have been accentuated by the dependent nature of the foot. Some of the lesions of the neck and axilla were painful when turning the head or raising the arms. The acute reaction and pain subsided after a few days. There were no constitutional symptoms. The treatment of skin lesions was largely non-specific. Most of the superficial lesions were treated with calamine lotion with one per cent phenol, which in most cases relieved the itching, burning or pain. A few of the painful hyperpigmented lesions not relieved by calamine with phenol were treated with pontocaine ointment, with apparent success. When the epithelium desquamatedthe itching was relieved by daily washing with soap and water and the application ofa water soluble vanishing type ointment which kept the injured skin soft and pliabie. Raw areas, which became secondarily infected, were treated by washing with soap and by the application of aureomycin ointment. Bullous lesions of the feet were left intact ag long as no symptoms were present, if painful, the bullae were aspirated with sterile techniques to remove the clear straw-colored fluid. A single aspiration was ade@Bate since the bullae did not refill, One foot lesion developed an extensive, raw weeping ulcer, Prophylactic penicillin was given for two days, during which time the lesion developed healthy granulation figsue. Someof the lesions of the skin of the foot remained thickened, less pliable, and painful after de squamation. This was relieved by the use of vaseline or cocoa butter to soften the tissues. One persistent eur Jegion did not heal after desquamation. This was treated with warm boric acid compresses and washing with surgical soap to remove the eschar. Granulation tissue formed, and epithelium wag slowly growing in from the edges of the ulcer when the initial observation period was terminated 74 days after exposure. Upon resurvey six months after exposure healing was complete, with a depigmented scar remaining as evidence of the previous ulcer. 3.3 EPILATION The incidence of and time of appearance of epilation in the Rongelap and Ailinginae groups is illustrated in Tables 3.1, 3.2 and Fig. 3.1. Epilation was first observed on the 14th po:st- 39